Conditions of boat launches across Minn. vary

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — With the fishing opener approaching Saturday, the conditions of boat launches across the state are a mixed bag.

Due to the late ice-out, the Department of Natural Resources says it might not be able to get repair crews to all DNR launches in time for the opener. That’s particularly an issue in northern Minnesota where many large lakes still have ice.

Nancy Stewart, the DNR’s public water access program coordinator, says inspections and repairs on ramps, and installation of docks, can’t be done until the ice is off a lake. And she says it can take a couple of weeks to get to every site in each work area. So she recommends that boaters call ahead for the latest report on the water body and access they plan to use.